Comments on: God, voting, and election eve http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:25:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Chris T. http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4086 Chris T. Wed, 16 Nov 2005 17:12:16 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4086 Hi Hugo, Camassia pointed to this post in her recent entry about the IRS issue. Just wanted to say that this was as incredible the second time around as when I read it last year near the election. Hi Hugo,

Camassia pointed to this post in her recent entry about the IRS issue. Just wanted to say that this was as incredible the second time around as when I read it last year near the election.

]]> By: Gabe http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4085 Gabe Thu, 04 Nov 2004 16:30:42 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4085 Every time I check your log (a couple of times a week) I see my own thinking looking back at me. Thanks for writing a blog so I don't have to! Insightful comments on liberal fundamentalism -- just as scary as the conservative kind, but cuddlier. Every time I check your log (a couple of times a week) I see my own thinking looking back at me. Thanks for writing a blog so I don’t have to! Insightful comments on liberal fundamentalism — just as scary as the conservative kind, but cuddlier.

]]> By: Noli Irritare Leones http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4087 Noli Irritare Leones Tue, 02 Nov 2004 12:04:32 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4087 <strong>Election</strong> Joel's been in Nevada doing election volunteer work for Kerry. Probably he'll be coming back early today, as his health... Election

Joel’s been in Nevada doing election volunteer work for Kerry. Probably he’ll be coming back early today, as his health…

]]> By: Xrlq http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4084 Xrlq Tue, 02 Nov 2004 05:06:08 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4084 Well said. I've long taken "What would Jesus do?" as a presumptuous shorthand for "what do I think is the right thing to do?" There's nothing wrong with asking oneself that question, of course, but there is plenty wrong with mistaking one's own sense of right and wrong for that of one's favorite deity. Well said. I’ve long taken “What would Jesus do?” as a presumptuous shorthand for “what do I think is the right thing to do?” There’s nothing wrong with asking oneself that question, of course, but there is plenty wrong with mistaking one’s own sense of right and wrong for that of one’s favorite deity.

]]> By: Jake http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4083 Jake Tue, 02 Nov 2004 00:09:11 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4083 Good words, Hugo; they needed to be said, even though George Regas continues to often be held up as a model of how to be an effective activist priest, appropriately, it seems to me. But this time I think he got it wrong. I have a Kerry bumper sticker on my car, but could not mention his name in the pulpit; I could be wrong (although in this case I really, really, really doubt it). What is that line from Lincoln? Something to the effect, "The question is not if God is on our side, but if we are on God's side." Good words, Hugo; they needed to be said, even though George Regas continues to often be held up as a model of how to be an effective activist priest, appropriately, it seems to me. But this time I think he got it wrong.

I have a Kerry bumper sticker on my car, but could not mention his name in the pulpit; I could be wrong (although in this case I really, really, really doubt it).

What is that line from Lincoln? Something to the effect, “The question is not if God is on our side, but if we are on God’s side.”

]]> By: mythago http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4082 mythago Mon, 01 Nov 2004 23:55:21 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4082 Well said, Hugo. Regardless of whether Jesus is being dragged in to support my point of view or not, I cringe at the idea of anyone claiming to speak on Jesus' behalf. Well said, Hugo. Regardless of whether Jesus is being dragged in to support my point of view or not, I cringe at the idea of anyone claiming to speak on Jesus’ behalf.

]]> By: Orange Hans http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4081 Orange Hans Mon, 01 Nov 2004 23:19:15 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4081 I also predict a Kerry victory, and I will be at the polls at 7:00 am here in Oklahoma. Let me echo your best lines: "Both liberal and conservative Christians are too enamored of the power of the secular state to transform the hearts and minds and lives of its citizens and the citizens of the world." "And while Christians can and should take an active interest in the affairs of this world, there is no question that real justice, real transformation, and real hope cannot come from the princes of this world." I also predict a Kerry victory, and I will be at the polls at 7:00 am here in Oklahoma.

Let me echo your best lines:
“Both liberal and conservative Christians are too enamored of the power of the secular state to transform the hearts and minds and lives of its citizens and the citizens of the world.”

“And while Christians can and should take an active interest in the affairs of this world, there is no question that real justice, real transformation, and real hope cannot come from the princes of this world.”

]]> By: Jeff JP http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4080 Jeff JP Mon, 01 Nov 2004 21:23:11 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4080 Mr. Schwyzer, Why are you so anxious about this election? You say, in part, <i>"Ultimately, the president is still Caesar, and though we are subject to Caesar's laws (and in this society, may even help him make those laws), our focus must always be on service to another, grander, greater kingdom.</i> But of what other, "grander, greater kindom" do you speak, friend? Did not Jesus of Nazareth, the One you rightly call "Lord and Savior" teach us, "[B]ehold, the kingdom of God is within you"? (Luke 17:21) In a true sense, it probably doesn't get any better than this. The Kingdom of God is right here, right now. It's within you, within me, and within those feminists that I allow to annoy me sometimes! This is it, dude! Look at it this way: the time that you spend being anxious about the election is time that you could be spending enjoying the Kingdom of God. In the grand scheme of things, this election is no more or less important than any other election. It's all impermanent and transitory; it's passing away. We Americans have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. If planets, stars, and entire galaxies pass away, why should we get so worked up over an election? Get well soon. Jeff Jp Mr. Schwyzer,

Why are you so anxious about this election? You say, in part,

“Ultimately, the president is still Caesar, and though we are subject to Caesar’s laws (and in this society, may even help him make those laws), our focus must always be on service to another, grander, greater kingdom.

But of what other, “grander, greater kindom” do you speak, friend?

Did not Jesus of Nazareth, the One you rightly call “Lord and Savior” teach us, “[B]ehold, the kingdom of God is within you”? (Luke 17:21)

In a true sense, it probably doesn’t get any better than this. The Kingdom of God is right here, right now. It’s within you, within me, and within those feminists that I allow to annoy me sometimes! This is it, dude!

Look at it this way: the time that you spend being anxious about the election is time that you could be spending enjoying the Kingdom of God.

In the grand scheme of things, this election is no more or less important than any other election. It’s all impermanent and transitory; it’s passing away.

We Americans have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. If planets, stars, and entire galaxies pass away, why should we get so worked up over an election?

Get well soon.

Jeff Jp

]]> By: NancyP http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4079 NancyP Mon, 01 Nov 2004 21:03:09 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4079 I must say it was very pleasant to escape from the political hoo-hah into church yesterday. Not one peep from the pastor about the election. Only political activity in this election season was an earlier announcement that the registration deadline was date x, if you wanted to vote. And the announcement was in the company of "interfaith dinner on date y, new Holocaust Museum exhibit dates t through u, etc". I must say it was very pleasant to escape from the political hoo-hah into church yesterday. Not one peep from the pastor about the election. Only political activity in this election season was an earlier announcement that the registration deadline was date x, if you wanted to vote. And the announcement was in the company of “interfaith dinner on date y, new Holocaust Museum exhibit dates t through u, etc”.

]]> By: Hugo http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4078 Hugo Mon, 01 Nov 2004 21:02:51 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2004/11/01/god-voting-and-election-eve/#comment-4078 I'm blushing, Lisa... Steve, you know me well enough to speak for me, my friend! Your words to Ono are right on the money... I’m blushing, Lisa…

Steve, you know me well enough to speak for me, my friend! Your words to Ono are right on the money…

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